Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs Indie Video Game Review

Around a year ago I took a look at the original Get-A-Grip Chip. As a fan of indie platformers I really enjoyed the game. The idea of building a platformer around using a magnet instead of jumping was clever. It worked great as well. With how much I liked the original game, I was intrigued when I heard that the game received a sequel. Released last week, I knew I wanted to check out Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs. Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs maintains the fun and satisfying gameplay of the original, while taking things in a new direction.

In Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs, you once again play as the cute magnetic robot Chip. In this adventure Chip is tasked with helping a patient dealing with stomach issues. Chip is shrunk and inserted into the patient’s body to try and diagnose the issue.

The gameplay of Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs is basically exactly the same as the original game. If you played the original game, you should already know what to expect from the game.

For those not familiar with the original Get-A-Grip Chip, it is a platformer with a twist. In most platformers you use a jump to move between platforms. Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs replaces the jump with a magnet attached to the top of your head. You will use this magnet to grab magnetic buttons/circles scattered around the world. By launching yourself from these buttons, you can jump between platforms.

The objective of each level is to reach the end. There are dangers around the world that will damage you should you run into them. A setting allows you to choose how many health points you will have in the game. Should you run out of health, you will be sent back to the last checkpoint you reached. While making your way to the end, you will also be able to pick up white blood cells and other helpers. They are hidden in the levels. Acquiring all of them from a level will unlock additional bonus levels.

On the gameplay front, Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs doesn’t differentiate itself from the original game. In fact I can’t think of a single new mechanic that wasn’t in the original game. If you played the original, this should make it easy to tell if you will enjoy the game. If you didn’t really care for the original Get-A-Grip Chip, the sequel is unlikely to change your mind.

I wish Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs had some new mechanics. This is not a huge problem though as the gameplay is as fun as the original game. Using the magnet to jump between platforms is as fun as it always was. It is surprising how such a simple mechanic works so well, while also feeling so different than your typical platformer.

The controls are one of the main reasons why the gameplay works so well. It may take a little time to get used to using the magnet, but after that point you can easily fling Chip through the air like you are using a normal jump. The level design really helps with this. The game does a good job forcing you to quickly adjust, while not becoming too difficult.

For the most part I would say that the game is on the easier side. I play a lot of platformers though so that might have played a role in how hard I thought the game was. If I were to compare the two games, I would say that Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs is probably easier than the original game. Some of the bonus levels can be a little challenging at times. I would say most of the challenge comes from picking up the white blood cells. Otherwise you likely won’t die often.

I kind of wish Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs was a little more difficult. I was hoping that the sequel would be more challenging while also coming up with new ways to use the mechanics. Those who want a challenging game likely won’t get what they want out of Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs. The game isn’t really trying to be a difficult platformer though. It is trying to be a relaxing platformer. With this in mind, the game is enjoyable even if I wish it was a little more difficult.

I think one of the reasons that the game was made easier was a change in the overall tone/theme. Probably the biggest addition to the game is an educational component not present in the original game. In addition to being a fun platformer, the game tries to teach you a little about the digestive system. The levels are somewhat designed around the digestive system. Each level takes place in a different part of the process and the visual style is based around that. Visually I think the game utilizes the theme well.

Additionally at the end of the levels is a short trivia game. Each of the white blood cells that you collect is connected with a term. At the end of the level you will have to match the term with a description.

I honestly didn’t put a lot of thought into the educational component of the game. This was mostly because it wasn’t one of the reasons that I was interested in the game. I actually did learn/re-learn some things while playing the game. The educational element of the game is more supplementary than a big component of the game. I personally wouldn’t consider it a big reason to purchase the game, but I applaud the game for trying to add in an educational component. I could see it being a good teaching tool for children learning about the digestive system.

At this point I have to address the biggest issue that I had with Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs. Simply put the game isn’t particularly long. The game has around 12 levels. Each level only takes a couple minutes to beat. I was able to 100% all of the levels in around 80 minutes.

On the positive side Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs only retails for $3. Even if the game is quite short, the price is still pretty good for what you end up getting. The main reason I was disappointed by the length is just that I wanted more of the gameplay. The game is really fun, and I was hoping for more. Just as the game is really getting started, it ends. If Get-A-Grip Chip gets another sequel, I hope it is longer as I really enjoy the gameplay and want more of it.

For the most part Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs is what you would expect from the sequel to the original game. The gameplay is exactly the same. The sequel is basically a set of new levels. While some new mechanics would have been nice, I still really enjoyed Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs. The gameplay is as satisfying as it was in the original game. Using a magnet instead of jumps for a platformer just works really well. The main addition is a small educational element that teaches you about the digestive system. This is kind of informative and isn’t a huge distraction if you don’t really care about it. Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs is kind of easy and is on the short side. I enjoyed the game a lot though just like the original game.

My recommendation mostly comes down to your thoughts on the original game and general premise. If you didn’t really care for the original Get-A-Grip Chip or the magnet mechanic, I don’t know if the game will be for you. Those who really enjoyed the original game or the premise though, should really look into picking up Get-A-Grip Chip and the Body Bugs as it is a lot of fun.